Handrail locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A locking mechanism associated with a handrail is provided. A pair of slots is provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing. Each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end. A bracket is affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing. A locking member is pivotally coupled to the bracket. The first arm of the locking member is configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position. On exerting a force in a downward direction on a second arm of the locking member the first arm is selectively released from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from an upright position to a collapsed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a locking mechanism, and more specifically to the locking mechanism associated with a handrail.

BACKGROUND

Handrails are provided on a variety of machines. Some of these handrails have a foldable design, allowing the handrails to move from an upright to a collapsed position. For example, in mining machines or machines used in underground applications, the handrails may need to be folded in order to accommodate the machine in a mine tunnel.

A variety of constructions may be adopted for the folding of the handrails. Some examples include mid folding handrails and low folding handrails wherein a hinge of the handrail is designed to allow the handrail to be folded at a mid section or lower section of the handrail respectively.

U.S. Published Application Number 2008/012221 discloses a handrail of which both ends are stably fixed at a side surface of heavy construction equipment such as, an excavator, etc. The handrail comprises a first section part of which one end is fixed at a front end of the side surface; a second section part of which one end is upright and fixed at an upper surface of the side surface; and a third section part of which both ends are foldable with respect to the other end of each of the first and second section parts. With the above constructions, it is possible to significantly reduce vibrations and loads transferred to the handrail for thereby enhancing durability.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a locking mechanism associated with a handrail is provided. The locking mechanism includes a housing configured to receive the handrail partially therein. The housing has a top open end configured to accommodate the handrail in an upright position. The housing has a side open end configured to accommodate the handrail in a collapsed position. The locking mechanism includes a pair of slots provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing, wherein each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end. The locking mechanism includes a bracket affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing. A locking member is pivotally coupled to the bracket. The locking member includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position. The first arm extends in a first direction. The second arm is attached to the first arm. The second arm extends in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to and opposite to the first direction. On exerting a force in a downward direction on the second arm, the second arm is configured to selectively release the first arm from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from the upright position to the collapsed position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a handrail assembly is provided. The handrail assembly includes a handrail and a locking mechanism associated with the handrail. The locking mechanism includes a housing configured to receive the handrail partially therein. The housing has a top open end configured to accommodate the handrail in an upright position. The housing has a side open end configured to accommodate the handrail in a collapsed position. The locking mechanism includes a pair of slots provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing, wherein each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end. The locking mechanism includes a bracket affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing. A locking member is pivotally coupled to the bracket. The locking member includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position. The first arm extends in a first direction. The second arm is attached to the first arm. The second arm extends in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to and opposite to the first direction. On exerting a force in a downward direction on the second arm, the second arm is configured to selectively release the first arm from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from the upright position to the collapsed position.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided. The machine includes a power source and a frame. A handrail assembly is provided on the frame. The handrail assembly includes a handrail and a locking mechanism associated with the handrail. The locking mechanism includes a housing configured to receive the handrail partially therein. The housing has a top open end configured to accommodate the handrail in an upright position. The housing has a side open end configured to accommodate the handrail in a collapsed position. The locking mechanism includes a pair of slots provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing, wherein each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end. The locking mechanism includes a bracket affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing. A locking member is pivotally coupled to the bracket. The locking member includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position. The first arm extends in a first direction. The second arm is attached to the first arm. The second arm extends in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to and opposite to the first direction. On exerting a force in a downward direction on the second arm, the second arm is configured to selectively release the first arm from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from the upright position to the collapsed position.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary machine, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism associated with a handrail of the machine showing the handrail in an upright position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3-5 are perspective views depicting a working of the locking mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handrail in a collapsed position and the locking mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views depicting a working of the locking mechanism of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of an exemplary machine 100. The machine 100 is embodied as an underground mining loader. The machine 100 includes a power source (not shown) and a transmission system (not shown) provided thereon to allow the machine 100 to be mobile.

The accompanying figures depict a top portion of the machine 100, proximate to an operator cabin 102. A section of a frame 104 of the machine 100 is visible in FIG. 1. A platform 106 is attached to the frame 104. A handrail assembly 107 including a number of handrails 108 are provided on the platform 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the handrails 108 are provided on either sides of the platform 106. The structure and location of the handrails 108 may vary based on the application. It should be noted that the machine 100 may include any other industrial machine having the handrails 108 attached thereon. For example, the machine 100 may include a large mining truck, an articulated truck, an off-highway truck and so on. In another embodiment, the machine 100 may be one of various types of machinery used in a number of industries such as mining, agriculture, construction, forestry, waste management, and material handling, among others.

The handrails 108 have a foldable design, such that the handrails 108 may either be in an upright position or in a collapsed position. When the handrail 108 is in the upright position, personnel may have access to the platform 106 of the machine 100. In some situations, during mining operations of the machine 100, the handrail 108 may need to be collapsed against the platform 106 in order to allow the machine 100 to be accommodated in mining tunnels and avoid impact therewith.

A locking mechanism 110 for the handrail 108 is disclosed herein. The locking mechanism 110 is affixed to a base portion 112 of the handrail 108. FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the locking mechanism 110. The locking mechanism 110 includes a housing 202 attached to a base plate 204. The base plate 204 is provided at a bottom portion 203 of the housing 202. The locking mechanism 110 may be coupled to a surface, for example, the platform 106, via the base plate 204. The base plate 204 is attached to the platform 106 using known methods, for example, bolting, riveting and so on. The housing 202 includes three side surfaces 206, 208, 210 defining a top open end 212 and a side open end 214 therebetween. The housing 202 may have a C shaped cross section. The side surfaces 206, 208, 210 of the housing 202 have a planar configuration. An inner face 216 of the housing 202 is shaped to correspond to a shape of the handrail 108, such that the handrail 108 is received between the three side surfaces 206, 208, 210 of the housing 202. The handrail 108 may have a rectangular, a square, or a circular cross section such that the handrail 108 may be received into an interior space defined by the side surfaces 206, 208, 210 of the housing 202.

A pair of slots 218 is provided on opposing side surfaces 206, 210, such that each of the slot 218 opens into the top open end 212. Further, the pair of slots 218 is positioned at an upper portion 219 (see FIG. 3) of the housing 202. In one embodiment, the slots 218 have a rectangular shape. In another embodiment, the slots 218 have a square shape. A bracket 220 is affixed onto an outer face 222 of the side surface 210 of the housing 202, such that the bracket 220 is positioned on the side surface 210 containing one of the pair of slots 218. Alternatively, the bracket 220 may be provided on the opposite side surface 206 having the other of the pair of slots 218 provided thereon. The bracket 220 is positioned proximate to the top open end 212 or the upper portion 219 of the housing 202. A pin 224 is provided through a first and second surface 226, 228 of the bracket 220, such that the pin 224 is substantially parallel to the side surface 210 of the housing 202. The bracket 220 also includes an opening 230 provided therein and surrounding the pin 224, the opening 230 configured to receive a locking member 232.

The locking member 232 includes a first arm 234 and a second arm 236. The first arm 234 extends in a first direction “D1” (see FIG. 5) and the second arm 236 extends in a second direction “D2” (see FIG. 5), such that the first and second directions “D1, D2” are parallel and opposite to one another. The locking member 232 also includes a through hole 238 configured to couple with the pin 224 of the bracket 220, such that the locking member 232 is pivotally coupled to the bracket 220. The through hole 238 provided on the locking member 232 has an elongated shape. A thickness “T” (shown in FIG. 3) of the first arm 234 corresponds to a depth “D” (shown in FIG. 3) of the slots 218 so that the first arm 234 may be received thereinto. A length “L” (shown in FIG. 3) of the first arm 234 corresponds to a width “W” (shown in FIG. 3) of the housing 202, such that the first arm 234 may be engaged within the slots 218 positioned on the opposing side surfaces 206, 210. Accordingly, the locking member 232 is shaped such that the length “L” of the first arm 234 is greater than the width “W” of the housing 202. The second arm 236 may have a length shorter than that of the first arm 234.

FIGS. 2 to 6 illustrate the working of the locking mechanism 110. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the first arm 234 is engaged within the slots 218, the handrail 108 is retained in the upright position. On exerting an external force “F1” in an upward direction on the second arm 236 of the locking member 232, the first arm 234 of the locking member 232 may be released or disengaged from the pair of slots 218. In one example, for collapsing the handrail 108, the personnel may hold onto a gripping surface 239 provided on an inner facing side of the second arm 236 of the locking member 232 with his/her hand and pull the second arm 236 in an upward direction, causing the first arm 234 to disengage from the slots 218 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). As the second arm 236 is pulled in the upward direction due to the external force “F1”, the pin 224 may slide within the through hole 238 allowing the locking member 232 to be raised from an initial engaged position. More particularly, the through hole 238 provided on the locking member 232 may be embodied as a vertical slot 242, such that on exertion of the external force “F1”, the locking member 232 may move vertically upwards along the slot 242. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the locking member 232 is in a locked position, i.e. when the first arm 234 is engaged within the pair of slots 218, the pin 224 is positioned in an upper portion 244 of the slot 242. Whereas, when the locking member 232 is in an unlocked position, i.e. when the first arm 234 is disengaged from the pair of slots 218, the pin 224 is positioned in a lower portion 246 of the slot 242, due to the upward movement of the locking member 232 based on the external force “F1”.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking member 232 in the unlocked position may freely rotate about the pin 224 as shown by an arrow 302, thereby causing the first arm 234 of the locking member 232 to no longer obstruct the handrail 108 from collapsing. As shown in FIG. 6, in the unlocked position the locking member 232 may rest against the side surface 210 of the housing 202. The handrail 108 may move from the upright position (see FIGS. 2 to 5) to the collapsed position. Further, the locking mechanism 232 is positioned and designed such that, in the collapsed position of the handrail 108, the handrail 108 may rest on a surface of the base plate 204 or the platform 106 of the machine 100. As shown in the accompanying figures, the locking mechanism 110 may be provided at the base portion 112 of multiple handrails 108. A support arm 402 may extend between two adjacent locking mechanisms 110. The housing 202, the bracket 220 and/or the locking member 232 may be made from any metal known the art.

FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate a locking mechanism 502, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. The locking mechanism 502 may be operated by a foot of the personnel. A second arm 504 of a locking member 506 is relatively longer than that of second arm 236 of the locking member 232 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6. Further, a through hole provided on the locking member 506 is relatively smaller than that of the through hole 238 of the locking member 232. A bracket 510 is sized smaller than that of the bracket 220 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6.

On exerting an external force “F2” in a downward direction on the second arm 504, the second arm 504 may rotate about the pin 224 along an arrow 508. In one example, the external force “F2” may be applied on the second arm 504 when the personnel steps on the second arm 504 with his/her foot. Further, a first arm 511 may be disengaged from the slots 218, as shown by dotted lines 512 in FIG. 7. As the first arm 511 of the locking member 506 is disengaged from the slots 218, the first arm 511 no longer obstructs the handrail 108 from remaining in the upright position, causing the handrail 108 to move from the upright position (see FIGS. 8 and 9) to the collapsed position (see FIG. 10).

It should be noted that during the operation of the machine 100, the handrails 108 are in the collapsed position. In an event that the first arm 234, 511 gets engaged in the pair of slots 218 when the handrail 108 is in the collapsed position, the housing 202, the bracket 220, 510 and the locking member 232, 506 is designed in such a manner that when the handrails 108 are made to move from the collapsed position to the upright position, the first arm 234, 511 of the locking member 232, 506 may automatically disengage from the slots 218 without any human intervention. Hence, the personnel may avoid manually disengaging the locking mechanism 110, 502 and accessing the platform 106 in a situation wherein the handrails 108 are in the collapsed position.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure provides a robust locking mechanism for a low flat folding handrail. More particularly, the locking mechanism 110, 502 is attached to the platform 106 and hence allows for the handrails 108 to contact with the platform 106 when collapsed, thereby providing a compact design. This compact or low flat design may prevent impact of the handrail 108 with inner walls of the mine tunnel during operation of the machine 100. Further, when the handrails 108 are in the collapsed position, the visibility of the operator is not hindered. The collapsed handrails 108 may provide sufficient space for the operator or any other personnel to crawl thereover in situation of an evacuation.

The locking mechanism 110, 502 may either be operated by the hand or the foot of the operator. The locking mechanism 110, 502 is a cost effective and simple design which may be easily manufactured and installed. The locking mechanism 110, 502 may be utilized for a variety of applications and is not limited to that disclosed herein.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A locking mechanism associated with a handrail, the locking mechanism comprising: a housing configured to receive the handrail partially therein, the housing having a top open end configured to accommodate the handrail in an upright position, the housing having a side open end configured to accommodate the handrail in a collapsed position; a pair of slots provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing, wherein each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end; a bracket affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing; and a locking member pivotally coupled to the bracket, the locking member comprising: a first arm configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position, wherein the first arm extends in a first direction; and a second arm attached to the first arm, wherein the second arm extends in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to and opposite to the first direction, such that on exerting a force in a downward direction on the second arm, the second arm is configured to selectively release the first arm from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from the upright position to the collapsed position.
 2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is positioned at a base portion of the handrail.
 3. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein a length of the first arm is greater than a width of the housing, such that the first arm is configured to engage with the pair of slots.
 4. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the bracket is positioned on the side surface of the housing having one of the pair of slots.
 5. The locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a base plate coupled to a bottom portion of the housing, the base plate configured to attach the locking mechanism to a surface.
 6. The handrail assembly of claim 5, wherein in the collapsed position, the handrail is configured to contact with the base plate.
 7. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the pair of slots and the bracket are provided on an upper portion of the housing.
 8. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the housing has a C shaped cross section.
 9. A handrail assembly comprising: a handrail; and a locking mechanism associated with the handrail, the locking mechanism comprising: a housing configured to receive the handrail partially therein, the housing having a top open end configured to accommodate the handrail in an upright position, the housing having a side open end configured to accommodate the handrail in a collapsed position; a pair of slots provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing, wherein each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end; a bracket affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing; and a locking member pivotally coupled to the bracket, the locking member comprising: a first arm configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position, wherein the first arm extends in a first direction; and a second arm attached to the first arm, wherein the second arm extends in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to and opposite to the first direction, such that on exerting a force in a downward direction on the second arm, the second arm is configured to selectively release the first arm from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from the upright position to the collapsed position.
 10. The handrail assembly of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism is positioned at a base portion of the handrail.
 11. The handrail assembly of claim 9, wherein a length of the first arm is greater than a width of the housing, such that the first arm is configured to engage with the pair of slots.
 12. The handrail assembly of claim 9, wherein the bracket is positioned on the side surface of the housing having one of the pair of slots.
 13. The handrail assembly of claim 9 further comprising a base plate coupled to a bottom portion of the housing, the base plate configured to attach the locking mechanism to a surface.
 14. The handrail assembly of claim 13, wherein in the collapsed position, the handrail is configured to contact with the base plate.
 15. The handrail assembly of claim 9, wherein the pair of slots and the bracket are provided on an upper portion of the housing.
 16. The handrail assembly of claim 9, wherein the housing has a C shaped cross section.
 17. The handrail assembly of claim 9, wherein the handrail has at least one of a rectangular, a square, and a circular cross section.
 18. A machine comprising: a power source; a frame; and a handrail assembly attached to the frame, the handrail assembly comprising: a handrail; and a locking mechanism associated with the handrail, the locking mechanism comprising: a housing configured to receive the handrail partially therein, the housing having a top open end configured to accommodate the handrail in an upright position, the housing having a side open end configured to accommodate the handrail in a collapsed position; a pair of slots provided on opposite side surfaces of the housing, wherein each of the side surfaces is adjacent to the side open end; a bracket affixed to any one of the side surface of the housing; and a locking member pivotally coupled to the bracket, the locking member comprising: a first arm configured to selectively engage with the pair of slots to retain the handrail in the upright position, wherein the first arm extends in a first direction; and a second arm attached to the first arm, wherein the second arm extends in a second direction, the second direction being parallel to and opposite to the first direction, such that on exerting a force in a downward direction on the second arm, the second arm is configured to selectively release the first arm from the pair of slots to allow the handrail to move from the upright position to the collapsed position.
 19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a base plate coupled to a bottom portion of the housing, the base plate configured to attach the locking mechanism to a platform of the machine.
 20. The machine of claim 19, wherein in the collapsed position, the handrail is configured to contact with the base plate. 